Thugs threatened to cut Cleadon couple's fingers off

BRUISED and shaken – an elderly couple have told how they were tied up in their own home by three masked raiders.

The injuries to Harry Carrick's arms caused during the robbery at his home on Saturday evening

BRUISED and shaken – an elderly couple have told how they were tied up in their own home by three masked raiders.

Harry Carrick and Sylvia Everett had pillowcases placed over their heads and were told they would have their fingers cut off unless they revealed the location of cash and jewellery during the terrifying ordeal.

The raid took place at their bungalow in Laburnum Grove, Cleadon, South Tyneside, just after 6pm on Saturday.

Frail Harry, 78, who suffers from asthma and had only been out of hospital two days after undergoing treatment for a serious chest infection, was left with painful bruising from the attack.

“I was sitting doing the crossword and Harry was eating some ginger snaps with his coffee and watching television when these three thugs with balaclavas and pillowcases in their hands came running in the house. I thought it was some kind of joke,” said Sylvia, 75.

“They shoved the pillowcases over our heads and tied my hands and feet, it was really tight and cutting into my wrists.

“Then they told Harry if he didn’t get the key to the safe they’d cut my fingers off. They kept us there for about an hour while they went through the whole house. At one point I could hear the sound of a bag being unzipped. I thought they were going to put our bodies in it. I thought we were going to die.”

Harry, a retired railways worker, said: “They dragged me about by the hair and the language they were using towards Sylvia was appalling. I had to tell them where the safe was, they said they were going to cut her fingers off and I believe they would have done.

“I feel like moving away from here, but Sylvia loves this bungalow and I’m not going to let them get the better of me.”

The men entered the property just after 6.10pm and left at around 7.40pm on Saturday.

Anyone with information should call police on the 101 non-emergency number.

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